Vial orienting and tray loading mechanism



March 13, 1956 F. J. cozzoLl 2,738,115

VIAL ORIENTING AND TRAY LOADING MECHANISM Filed July 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY March 13, 1956 P. J. cozzom 2,738,115

VIAL ORIENTING AND TRAY LOADING MECHANISM Filed July 6. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N of JNVENTOR. w FRANK J. cozzoLl ATTORNEY VIAL ORIENTING AND TRAY LoADING MECHANISM Frank J. Cozzoli, Plainfield, N. J. Application July 6, 1953, sensi No; 366,357

1o claims. (ci. 22e- 14) The vpresent invention relates to vial processing machines and more particularly to a mechanism forV re? moving vials for processing elements, for orienting the vials into positions for loading, and for leading them into suitable trays.

In its more specilc aspects the invention concerns apparatus useful in removing vials from the jets of a washing machine in horizontal position then standing them upright and thereafter loading them into trays, all*l able tray loading apparatus by the aid of Which any size vial, within the range for which the main ymachine has been designed to handle, may be automatically removed from the washing jets, orientedto an upstanding posi? tion `and loaded into a suitable tray. j

The invention furtherproposes an improved structure and means for accomplishing the foregoing` ends ina manner requiring a minimum of parts and mechanism.

subject to possiblederangement by an inattentive or unskilled operator. invention proposes an improved tray loading mechanism operative automatically to bring the main machine 'as well as lthe loading mechanism to a stand still in the event", the operator fails to remove a fully loaded tray from the' p machine or, if and when removed, the operator fails to place an empty tray in proper receiving position on the machine.

For the purpose of explaining the nature ofthis invention reference will be'made to washing machines of the general style and character of those illustrated in 'the patents to Cozzoli #2,604,896 and `2,555,875 which include essentially, an indexible endless conveyor provided with a plurality of banks of processing jets upon which the containers to be washed are initially placed and carried successively to and through a number of processing stations. The jets are loaded at one end of the machine and upon each operating cycle a bank of jets with vials telescoped thereon vare presented at a delivery station. stroke rake element adapted to engage the vials at the delivery station and to Withdraw the vials from the jets and move them a distance not only suiificient to permit the empty jets to pass and a new lot to move into position but to move them along guided channels to an orienting station where they are caused to taker an upright posi- As an additional safety measure the The present invention comprehends a variable and eject the faulty vial. vfor separating'vials that may tend to stick together and tion. Thereafter, and in timed cycles, the vials are taken from the'orienting station and channeled into the open end of a receiving tray placed at the end of the channel. Means are provided by which the main machine is stopped when a lled tray is removed from the machine or when a filled tray is not removed and the loading mechanism attempts to force more than the trays complementy of vials into the tray. In addition the invention proposes a means lfor adjusting the stroke of the rake member so that relatively long or relatively short vials may arrive at the orienting station one group at a time, i. e., but one group of vials are presented to the orienting'station in each index cycle of the main machine, and similarly but one group of vials are taken from the orienting station in each index cycle of the machine. These operations of withdrawing, orienting, and channeling of successive groups of vials are effected automatically and in timed sequence as will be explained.

By way of additional refinement the invention undertakes to provide safety means operative to protect the machine from injury in the event a vial is misplaced and/or improperly comes through the processing machine. In such a case thereceiving platform may yield Similarly means are provided additional means to prevent them from adhering to movable parts.` By the aid yof such safety measures the machine is rendered self-clearing and non-jamming.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated 4in the following description and in part rendered apparent" therefrom inconnection with thev annexed drawings.

To enable others' skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may ern- 3 body the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings 'depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part'of this disclosure and, 4in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

`Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevation of a portion `of a vial washing machine with which this invention is operatively associated.

Figure 2'is ajdetail view of a gate operating cam and cam follower. Figure 3 lis a similar view of a vial pusher cam and its associated cam'follower. 'j

Figure 4 isa plan View of Figurey l illustratinga bank of jets in delivery position,l a group of vials in their oriented'position'y ready to be moved intothe channel leading tothe open end of a receiving tray.

Figure 5 is a'view of part of the vial pusher carriage in extended position.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the drive and its A electrical control' circuit.

Referring moreparticularly to Figure 1 of the drawings' the delivery end of a representative vial washing machine has been illustrated. In this machine, or any machine with whichl the present invention may be combined, the vials are ycarried from one processing station to another on an endlessconveyor that tracks sprockets at each end.V 4Inthe instant vmachine the sprockets 1l) are journaledfin a main frame 11, and periodically indexedjby means of a chain 12, Geneva star wheel 13, and crank 14, the latter being fast 'on a main drive shaft 15.v The shaft 15 receives normallycontinuous rotary power from an electric 'motor (not shown), and drive means' including a chain and sprocket drive indicated at 16. Throughthe action of the Geneva mechanism,

the various banksl of vials V are moved successively'll througha prescribed number of washing stations and brought successively to a delivery station 'while assum- Patented Mar. 13, 1956.

Pivoted 1:to the-frameas .at 18o at its .onteriend .andis spring tellSiQned by springs .13b v.toits vial` receiving posi-y tion illustrated in Fig. l. Theifree .endof the `platform uorrnallyunderlies the vialsas they @arrivent.thedelivery Station- However, should a vial come through forosswise ouftheiets or. for some Areasonbe on'the'nlatformwhen a new Abank of. vials-.index kinto nositiontsthe misplaced vialwill be pressed against. .the Platini-nn causing the latter to yyield downllvardlyv and-eject the vial.

A `preferred meansfor withdrawing lthe vials` from the Viets may comprise a vertically and. horizontally .move able/.rake member that extends. across.V the machine and supportativ bya `rnovable Carriage 2.1 at veach sido.. The carriages are mounted on rollers. 22. that are guided on vmoval'letracks 23. Each trackvis pivoted as .at 24 in a main frame extension 25. Vertical movement of the rake. iS. aC.Complishe-d by movingthe trank about its pivotal support by means of aconnecting rod 26, rock lever 27 Awhich is fulcrumed `at I28, andan actuating cam 29 mounted upon the continuously. driven shaftY 15,. The ca m 29Yis shaped to impart',l through the linkages shown, arising and lowering movement vto the. Carriage track with a dwell. period at. the upperv and. thelower positions. .Pull springs 30 attached to the rock lover 27` and anchored to parts of the main frame serve` toI maintain .the lever-carried follower .lngainst-the erating face of the cam 29,.

The'rneans for moving thecarriagealonathe-traolt 23 may .comprise a vsecond rock lever 40 whichis fulcrumed as at 41 to the frame. The upper endy of lever 4()` is pivotally .secured by an elevation-lcompensatingy link 42 to the rake carriage 21, and the lower end is pivotally secured as at 43 to an adjustable connecting rod 44. 4Rod 44 connects at its other end with a cranio-pin 45carried, in this instance, by the trackelevating cam 2,9.. The combination of motions impartcdto the. rake 20 .by the linkages described is somewhat rectangular, i.e., (el), Un, (ofi the vials), (b) In (betweenbanksoivials),

(c) Down (upon the vial necks) and (d) Outlaway from the vial jets). Figure 4l illustratesfthe rake in an Outposition just prior to lifting and releasing ythevials.` Four representative vials areindicated inhorizontalposition in the V-shaped channels provided .by-an extension` 18o oi` the receiving. Platform '1.8,-v` and. the.` leading vial. V, on each Channel. isv approximately at the endof the extension. rneniher lsc and at rest-- Thisstonninsof `the lead vials V, at the end of the extension.,isadjnstablyI eontrolledby adjusting the. positionot the pivotaleon.- nection 43 up or down in the slot, 40g provided inthe lower part of lever When. ythe pivotftlis clamped relatively close to the fulcrum 41 of the. loyer the', listed.

stroke of the Crank pin 45' will causefthe rake to .travel further than it will when thev pivot. 4,3.` is adjustedand clamped in. a more outward position on leverl 40,y And so that the adjustment in, s trolie` ofthe rake electsits outward position only, the slot 40 ais formed ina curve with the crank pin 45 asV the, center of, the. arc, whenrthe crank pin is in a position dianietrieally opposite. the position.y Shown iu Figure 1.. When. so constructed. and with.

the Crank nin so. positioned the ralsewill hein, and in' thatnositiou, an. adiustnientot thenivot 43 along the.

slotdoes not ohansethe In. position otthe. r' .1.l.re.he.Y

oause the.. slot 4.0.41. follows a. true radius- `Howeverras thezoranlr revolves, .theposition of.. the. nivo 43.'.rorn the pivot. 4l proportionately determines the.. dis.

provision for varying the rake stroke at one end is util- I .oe theralsef will muoveV outwardly. With. the; present: invention this.;

1 'agree-,figlio 4 ized to bring ,the lead vial in each channel `tothe brink of the extension 18C whereupon, on the next cycle, those vials are pushed off the extension and fallupon a shelf 5l) located a short distance below the extension 18C. Depending upon the length 'of the vials being processed the stroke of the vial rake is adjusted so that but one bank of vials is pushed off and self-oriented on the shelf 50 on each operating cycle, and the bank of vials next following are brought torest at the brink of the extension.

Underlying the channeled vextension 18C is a vial'pusher carriage 51 reciprocably mounted 'on rollers 52 that are guided in channelsSS at lcach side of themachine frame. The forward face of the carriage 51 is provided with a series of pockets 50a, spacedfrom one "another in correspondence with-the spacing of the Vfchannels in the receiving plate 18 and its extension 18C. Normally the pockets 50a occupy a position partly under the brink of the extension 18e so that as the vials drop off the latter they f all into the pockets and are. guided1= and maintained .upright therein.

67 Whose free end is connected with a connecting'rod.

68 which in turn carries ayokepiece'69 anda cam follower 70. The follower 70 is vpositioned;-to trackrithesurface of a gate cam 71 mounted upon thcmairllpower shaftlS. The cam is illustrated moretclenrlylin 'Figure 2 andls contoured to raise andlowerthe gate 6 0fn proper timed relation with other functioningelelnents of the tray-loader.

.Movement of the carriage .51. is brought about by means. of a System of linkages ncludinga pair otrlinks 73 that are'pivotally connected -to theunderside-'of the carriage 51. and to the upper ends of a pair.` 'offrock levers 74. Levers 74 are connected at `their lower. ends;

to a second rock shaft 75 j ournaled in they frame, andi vwhich is actuated by a depending lever 76. Lever '76 connects at itsfree endwith a-conuecting rod 77 that in turnioarries a yoke` piece 78 ,and a cam follower 79. The

follower 79 isnositioned to. track. thefaoe otaeain d0 mounted upon vthe continuously rotated PQwer shaft 15.

As illustrated .more Clearly in. Figurey 3, .the carriage cam.

80, iS. Contoured to. impart a reoiproo.atoryv ino.vement; to the carriage, with a. relatively long dwellperiod inthe In` position,v in proper timed relation` with the.: ,operartion olithe.. other movable parts.-

vI nasrnuoh as, the.v vials to. be processed varyI c uaunetcrL the gate 60 is slotted horizontally at each end, arse-indi cated. at 69a and by means Iof a clamp. screw llhfthe face; of the gate may be. adjusted toward o1' away from the carriage pockets, 50a in conformity with the diameter` oiA thcvials being run.

Qccasionally certain via-ls. will tend to stick together at their ends, especially if hot and welt.. ooour ihelead vial will.. tend to litt a following vial before falling andL to prevent this a breaker-bridge. 18d' is provided. The. bridge. 18d is vertically and horizontally adjustable and extends across` all the vial ehannels. Prefk erably the bridge is formed with a downwardly bent pon tieni-8g which-functions to dellect the lead vials down.-V wardly as; they move outwardly. vial that. mayy stiel;vv tothe. lead vial will be. caused; ref elevate; and. en;- i

gage. filebrdge. land thus break; the joint betweengthe vials.v The, lead; vial is.l thus, separated and Iisaree vtonfall Norm-rally the l bridge is clampednin a position sut-:hl thatfthe leadvial into itev related.' receiving pocket Sila:

may turn from a horizontal position to a vertical posi The receivingpockets-arc, effectively closed on their normally open. sides byman. adjustable gate member 60 that periodicallyisfrnoved Should.' that forward along the platform 5t). At the end of the carriage forward stroke the gate lowers a given amount and then the carriage recedes in preparation to receive, f

another charge of vials. the vials that were left standing unconined on the platform 5 0 are engaged by the oncoming group ,of vials and advanced still further along the platform.

The preliminary portion of the descent of the gate 60 is utilized in'this embodiment of the invention afrmatively to eject the vials from their pockets in the pusher so that they will not stick to the pockets and be carried backward. To this end the gate is provided with a cross-bar 60e that carries a series of downwardly projecting pinsor needles 60d. After the vials have passed under the needles 60d the needles lower and enter recesses 50c provided in the carriage immediately behind each vial pocket. When in their partially down position the needles prevent the vials from adhering to their pockets and from being carried back with the carriage 51. After the carriage has receded beyond the gate 60the latterlowers the remaining amount and is positioned in receiving relation with the withdrawn carriage for the next bank of vials. The two-stage lowering of the gate 60 and needle bar 60C is controlled and timed by providing cam 71 with the stepped descending portions indicated at 71a, 71h and 71e.

In accordance with this invention, the vials are caused to be channeled automatically into the open end of one or more receiving trays. v in the drawings a single tray 85 is positioned to receive the vials. This tray is closed on three sides and its bottom is arranged to underlie the platform 50. The platform 50 is preferably relatively thin particularly the portion that overlies the tray bottom so that the vials do not tip over as they are advanced from one tothe other. Side guides 86 adjustably secured` to the platform 50 are provided to'channel the vials tothe width of th'open end of the tray.

The support for the tray S5 may comprise a separate stand yor frame, or a frame that may be secured to the main apparatus as indicated in the drawings. As shown herein the tray support includes a top 87, an under frame 88, yand one or more legs 89. The inner end of the under frame 88 is preferably secured to the main frame extensions 64 ywhereby the relative elevations of the top ,87 and the platform 50 may be maintained at'the spaced distance required to slide the bottom of the tray 85 between the two. To accommodate the sides 85a of the tray On the next following stroke ln the example represented will thereupon advance in an elevated position and grad- 46 A preferred formof mechanismfor this purposeincludes a control switch 100 velectrically connected .with

the starter switch ofthe motor that drives` the power shaft 15 A control circuit diagram is illustrated schematically in Figure 6. The tray switch `100 is providedwith a yieldable roller 101 that .is positioned to'engage the leading end of the tray and which when depressed by a tray inserted between platform 50 and stand top 85, closes a portion of the circuit to the main drive motor. When this switch 100is closed, the motor'may be operated to drlve the shaft 15. If a tray is not present, or if pres-v ent, is caused to shift rearwardly a predetermined amount,

the switch roller 101 lifts slightly and opens the circuit. inthe washing machine organization illustrated'in part herein,A the main drive motor M operates a cam 150 thatiactuates a cycle switch 161 connected across the starting circuit so thatfthemachine is caused to cease functioning at the completion of a washing cycle at which time the processing valveshave been actuated to closed position and the processing tluids shutoff.

It will also be seen thatvthe tray switch 100 operates 'i to stop the machine when a filled tray is removed and about to be replaced by an empty tray. During the interval required to change trays, the machine is at rest .and no vials are being radvanced along the platform 50.

P referably,'t`he platform 50 is caused to'overlap the lead-v ing end of a tray a'distance suicient to accommodate a full complement of yvials advanced by a'forward stroke of carriage 51, `so that when it is time to remove a lled :5otray adequate space remains in that covered portion of the tray to receive the vials that are vadvancing on that cycle and such other vials as may have been advanced partly voff the platform 50 at the time the machine' cyclel stops.

' A y Operation The operation of the. vial removing and loading mechanism is as follows: Assuming that the jets of theywashing machine have been supplied with vials, a first bankk of vials will arrive at the delivery station andlie -hori' zontally in the channels of the'platform 18. The rake 20 ually4 descend upon the necks ofthe vials. When fully seated the crank pin will have passed dead center 85 (and a partition 85b if the tray is so made) they platform 50 is provided with suitable slots 50s which also serve yas guide means for registering the tray with the channel guides 86. To prevent the tray from inadvertently receding as the vials are advanced a back stop 90 is provided on the top 87. The back stop in thisj in,

stance comprises an angled strip, shallow enough to alV low the tray to ride over but steep enough to offer sucient resistance to hold the tray in place against the urge of the incoming vials. Should, however, the tray become filled and is left unattended, the pressure of the and through the connecting rod 44, vlever 40, link 42 and carriage 21 will move outwardly and draw the vials off the jets. This operation repeats itself until the, extension platform 18a is filled with rows of abutting vials and on the next cycle the vialsatthe brink of the platform are pushed off the platform 18a and fall right end ,upv upon `the lower platform 50. At this pointin the operational cycle,.the pusher carriage 51 is in its In position, the

gate 60 is down and the vials are confined in orderly arrangement by the pockets 51a and the face ofthe gate.v

60. Thereafter the gate elevates in responseto the action of cam 71 to a position whereat lthe vials may pass beneath. At this time the pushercarriage 5,1 advances in response to its cam 80, and the partially confined vials are moved along the-platform 50. When the carriage cam reaches; its maximum throw position with relation to thefollower 79, forward movement ofthe vials ceases, the gate lowers a preliminary amount 'to eject the vials,

and the carriage is retracted by the force of pull springs 74a connected to lever 74,and a stationary part of the machine. When the carriage has cleared the gate and is retracting, the gate, completes its down movement by gravity assisted by the force of pull springs 67a connected with lever 67, under the control of the cam 71. As the gate arrives in its down position another bank of vials is about to be orientedby falling into the pockets 51a fand on the ensuing cycle of the gate and pusher carriage V,

another bank of vials are advanced along the platform and brought into engagement with the previous bank of free-standing vials.

The latter are accordingly advanced lstill further and'in doing so assume a varied pattern. As the machine-continues to cycle in this manner, successive banks .of vials fare'=nnloa'c`iedfrom "'the jets, 'oriented and advancedalong' the :platform 50 land "'iin'd their way in mixed fashion betweenthej side 'guides 86,*tof't'he open-end of`the'tray^85. vWherithe'tray has lbeen tilled, the operatorreplaces thefilled. traywith Ian empty one, the machine being-'automatically stopped during the interval the leadin'gjend cfa tray remains off the 'switch 'actuating roller`101.

` Without `further analysis, the foregoing will l'sor fuliy Vreveal the'gist of `this invention. that others "cah, by

applying 'current knowledge', readily adapt' it for various utilizations byretain'ing oneA or more ofthe'fcatures that, from the 'standpoint`of"the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics Aof either the generic or speoiio v tive connections with the main drive shaft 'of the' machine for moving successive "banks .of vials away' from t they delivery stationv and advancing them in horizontal 'posi-I tilon along said supportjareceiving platforrnpositioned at the end'of'said 'support and in'a planev suciently below the plane of said support so that on each outward' stroke of the rake a bank of Vvials is caused to fall from the! `support upon 1- saidreceiving 'platform in i .an upright fromthedeliverystation, a second horizontallydisp'os'e'd position, land means operatively'lconnected with .and

actuated fromthe main drive Ishaft. of themachine-for successively moving Ythe lbanksV of i opstanding vials f along the platform away flfrom-llsaidisupport in .timed .relation with :the Yoperation v,offsaid rakev element.

2. Thevcombination-.oflclaim 1 `in- Which=said .rake operating means*ineludesmeansfor adjusting .the outward terminus of the stroke of Ithe raketo Iacccn'nmodate vials lof-ia selectedisizersoithatbut one .barile ofi the .vials is causedto reach the-endofthefsupportfandafall to fthe' receivingplatform-fon eachf operatingstroke oftliera'ke.l

V'3 The-` coriibinationf'of iciaim- '2 4in whichL-the 'length z of the support is` greater than? thestrokeloffA the rake byl at least one vial length.-

24. Inla machine.'A oil'the'l character 'described' operativer cyclically to deliver Ibanks oflf'vialsitoafdelivery station `in horizontal position the... eombinaton of :a support` of :.2 a prescribed ylength at'thedeli'veryistation. for4 receiving the` vials, a -drivef shaft 'driven 1in timed relation with, .the

operational lcycle ofthefmachine, al reciprocable rakeelement loperablel fromasaid-driveshaft for vmovingibanks of vial'sf successively -awayi from` the delivery station: and for advancingthem lin'hori-zo'ntal posit'ion along said supporty ofpreacribed' length, a-reeeivingiplatform positioned". at.'

the end of said fsupportland in a' planevv suiiiciently `below the. plane ofsaidsuppo'rt'so'that on eachi outward stroke of Athe 'rake azbank-o vials-l is causecly lfto' fallfronti-the support uponfsaidfreceiving platform with* the vialsrin upright position, a normallyl s-t-ationarylut movable ga/cer element spacedv from-the endloff-"said'l supportwardistance suicient to provide; space to" -reeeive the. upstanding. vials, vial-pusher meansialso aemated from said" drive* shaft for movi-ng l "theI banks ofopstandingvials f successively f along "the platform avi/ayL from theend' of isaidsupport in timed'relation with- -theoperatonof said' rakefelemenr,

ing-'said gate -el'ementtor andi 'from .vial receivingsposition inf timed relation means,

r'8 5. The -eon'i'bination of claim -4 including means eo'-v opera'tivelyfrela-tedtofsaid pusher elementuand operative at theqend lof the tforward stroke of the 4pusher lier' retaining ithe "vialsin l'the position to which they havelbee'nmoved; byffsai'cl; pusher element.

6. The-'combination 'of claim 4 in Vwhich 'saidvi'al receiving support comprises a pivotally mounted/section and a normallyfstationarysection, and spring means 'connectedyvh 'the 'pivot-ally mounted section 'operative to retain the saidse'ction yieldingly in vial receiving position.

7. Th'ecombination of claim 4 including a bridge element overlying said support and positioned adjacent'the endthereofada'pt'ed to be engaged by the -vials -a-'nd separate the' vials that are about to fall fromthose=fthat remainon the'support. Y

l'8. In a'machine arranged to transport vials frmf processing station to a delivery station and to position the'`A vials ina horizontal position at thel kdelivery `station;"tlie combinationofa normally horizontally'disposed vil receiving n'platformrirou'nted for pivotal movement `'at-'the delivery -s'ta'ti'tiii", ahorizo'ntally reciprocablerake meth; befrand'means connected therewith for `actuating the rake" to'a' position of engagement withthe vials on the vialll'eceivi'ngplatform to a position laterally removed :second receiving platform, a thirdieceiving platform p,c'sirioni'edbt'elovv'v 'the second receiving `platform a'distance sufficient to 'permit the respective vials to rrevolve in' space' to anupstn'd'ing position on to the third platfo'riras theyfare caused totali fi-ointhe end of theseeondiplat# ;form;vial-pusheriiieans for moving the standing vvials along thethird platform, andop'erative connectionsbe; tween Saidviallpus'hermeans and the machinevforsaotating the vial-pushermeans cyclically-in timedrelation with the' Operation of said rake member.

'9."Ina niaehitie'of the kcharacter described operative cyclically todelive'r vials in av horizontal position atadei livery station" on the vrmachine the' combination1 of4a'vial receiving platform `at the delivery station, va' horizontally refc'vipro'cable rake'member overlying the receiving`pla-t-L form, means for" actuating the' rake lmember' 'cyclically to afpos'it'ion 'ofiengagernentwith theV vials at the"'dc'e'liveiyA station to" aposition laterally removedl therefrom,*a"sc ond vial-receiving platform positioned at `the'end4 of" the' first named' platform and 'in a plane below thelpln of the said ii'fstnmed platform, said'rake member actuating*y meansbe'ing operative to'actuate the rake through a iijied stroke" such'tha't the vials are'caused to be brought thereby suecessivelyftotlie 'end 'of the 'rs't receiving plat-forrriand causedtofall" therefrom onto' said second receiving plat-- form, 1anioperieridedeceiving tray po'sitioned"on-'s`id last'"nain'eclfv rec'eiving'platform for eontainingthe vialsv in"upstanding'positiom and'al'reciprocable pusher ele-'- meri't operatively located in" the space between the'fsaidfl platforms' for" advancing the vials into the'o'penr endl yof 4the.recoit/ing tray, vand nieansconnected with said pusher* element" for reciprocating the pusher Vin` timedA relation to the' operation'of'th'e rake member.

v"lO In a' machineof' the character -ciescribefdjiriAA `vvhieh banksof vialsarrive at al delivery station in' horizontal vposition, trivial-removing `and via-l orienting vrrie'chanisrri combining 'anfiain drive"v shaft and means connected fther'e'-l with for" actuating the machine intermittently; ai siipp'ir't` adaptedtoreceivethe' vials atth'e deliver-'y stationfa 1feciprocblerke'telement Voperated from said "drivetslft 'fo'rmovingth'e successive-bank of vialsfrom-` the delivery" station 'and2 acli'rfan'eing1themz inl horizontal Aposit-ioni. along" saidi supportyaafreceiving platform positionedffatI theketld'.` ori-said support andlinll a' plane suiciently below' Ithe planeof- .'saidf. Supper-tisse: thatf onreach outward stroke-1 ofthe v'said rake a bank of vials is caused to fall from the sup- Y 9 port upon said receiving platform in-an upright position, References Cited in the le of this patent means also actuated from said drive shaft for successively moving the banks of upstanding vials along the platform Y UNITED STATES PATENTS away from said support in timed relation with the operation of said rake element, a tray member mounted on 5 l ghtfford "s Jatn'l said platform adapted to receive the upstanding vials, 2510343 gse f elln'le 6 1950 and safety means responsive to the presence of a tray 6441626 Britt July 7 1953 on said support in vial receiving position for rendering the drive shaft operative. v 

